Volunteer Programs

Being a Wildlife & Horticulture Volunteer

Do you have a love of Australian Fauna and Flora? Volunteers play a major role assisting the Wildlife and Horticulture Departments staff to care for our precious wildlife and beautiful native gardens at the Sanctuary each day.

WILDLIFE VOLUNTEER

This volunteer program involves working alongside our Wildlife Keepers on their daily rounds, assisting them with the care of animals in the Sanctuary collection, and within the Presentations Department (this team manages the daily shows that educate the public about wildlife and conservation).

The rounds that volunteers can work on include: mammals, birds, reptiles, Presentations, Wild Experiences, sheep shearing assistant, or koalas. The range of mammals, birds and reptiles is extensive, and includes a huge variety of Australian native fauna such as kangaroos, wombats, dingoes, emus, lorikeets, snakes, frogs and even stick insects!

Most shifts are from 7.00 am – 4.00 pm, with some shorter shifts on certain rounds, and we are looking for volunteers to help out every day of the week.

Activities of this role

• Food preparation, washing dishes and participating in feeding the animals
• Cleaning and assisting with refurbishing animal enclosures
• Raking and sweeping is a substantial part of this role, so be prepared for a physical day.
• Assisting the keepers with other duties

HORTICULTURE GARDENING GURU VOLUNTEER

The Horticulture department manages all botanical displays throughout the Sanctuary, as well as off-site at three established Eucalyptus plantations where we grow feed for our collection of koalas and other herbivorous mammals. We are in the process of improving our botanical displays at the Sanctuary so it is a very exciting time to come on board and be part of the team that is making these improvements. No experience is required and full training will be provided. The Gardening Gurus volunteers are a small team of gardening enthusiasts who work each Monday, Wednesday or Thursday from 8.00 am to 2.30pm.

Activities of this Role

Assist the horticulture team onsite at the Sanctuary to improve our gardens and botanical displays

Volunteer Application Process

Recruitment for these roles is managed by our recruitment partner, Volunteering Services Australia (formerly Volunteering Gold Coast). After you apply online, they will contact you to come in to learn more about the roles. If you are a good match for the role, you will be invited to attend three trial shifts with the Wildlife or Horticulture team so you can find out about the role first hand and also be assessed on your suitability.

We ask for a contribution of $60.00 to cover the cost of a uniform shirt, hat and name badge which are yours to keep. You will need to provide your own suitable footwear and khaki trousers or shorts.

Placements within any Currumbin Wildlife Sanctuary volunteer program are limited and no guarantee of acceptance will be given. Thank you for understanding that in order to protect both our animals and sanctuary operations, only people who meet the selection criteria and program requirements can be accepted into the Currumbin Wildlife Sanctuary volunteer programs.

Please note that we open and close access to this program throughout the year, as positions fill and then become vacant. If the program is currently closed, please check back again as it will soon re-open.

To be eligible for either role you must be able to meet the following criteria:

You must be aged over 18 years

Offer a twelve-month commitment to the program

If you are applying for the Wildlife Volunteer role CWS prefers that you have previous experience in caring for, or working with animals OR that you have a keen desire to learn and perform all the duties involved

Be prepared to follow all directions from Sanctuary staff, work harmoniously within the team environment and follow all protocols required

You must have access to email as this is how we communicate with you

Volunteers will be exposed to weather and work in an external bush environment, which may include exposure to animals, insects, dust and vegetation. These may cause health concerns for those who suffer allergies

Be able to walk distances, perform bending, lifting weights up to 10 kg and other moderate physical activities

Be willing to wear the Volunteer uniform and comply with program standards

Thank you for considering Currumbin Wildlife Sanctuary. We are voted one of Queensland’s most popular tourist destinations. Allowing you amazing up close and personal interactions with native Australian wildlife, this park rivals the Gold Coast theme parks with its breathtaking experiences.

E-Newsletter

I would like to receive promotional discounts, updates and news on Currumbin Wildlife Sanctuary